Shine Like A Star To Glorify God

Shine Like Stars In The World

Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16 NRSV)

Personally, I am very tired of arguing. I'm too old and have much better things to do; like proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Arguing is unproductive and a major waste of time that could be spent gathering instead of separating. 

Reasonable debating is another thing. Sitting down with someone and actually discussing something can be very productive. But, when you don't win the "argument" to then go around and murmur (gossip) about the person you disagree with is definitely not only non-productive, it is not Christ like. 

We are to shine like stars in the world, not to be like the world. The race we are to run is not against others. It is for others. We proclaim the Good News with all the fervor that the Spirit of Christ provides us with so that others might also hear and believe.

It is not about glorifying ourselves. It is not about us winning the race against others. It is about trusting the Holy Spirit to help us to run the race and let the light of Christ shine in and through us for the sake of others, to the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proclaim The Gospel With Spiritual Fervor

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:10-11 NIV

As I grow older, I find myself pondering more and more about the time that I have wasted not being zealous in serving the Lord. We have been studying Paul's letter to the Romans in Bible Study on Sunday mornings. St. Paul's zealousness never fails to amaze me. And, even as his spiritual fervor amazes me; my past lack of it leaves me wondering how I or anyone who confesses Jesus could possibly be less enthusiastic about the Good News than he. No matter what trials or tribulations St. Paul endured; he did not become less ardent in his proclamation, he became bolder. Why then can we who suffer so little in comparison to the many who have given their life for the Gospel of Jesus be so lukewarm?

I wake up each morning completely aware of how lukewarm Christianity has become in so many churches; in so many homes. In the vision of St. John on Patmos, the angel of the Lord told him to warn the people of Laodicea:  "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:16)   

The church in many parts of this earth has become lukewarm. We are without spiritual fervor, except maybe on Sunday mornings. Often, during the rest of the week, our ego-driven false gods take center stage. Christianity is more than a Sunday morning ritual. It is a way of life. It is a way of being.

May God help us to be zealous in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord so that others may hear and believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J